World News: Obama appeals for unity in wake of Arizona shooting

President Barack Obama appealed for unity at a memorial service for those attacked in the Arizona shooting rampage and implored a divided America to honour them by becoming a better country.

Mr Obama electrified the crowd by revealing that following his hospital visit yesterday with Representative Gabrielle Giffords, she had opened her eyes for the first time since being shot point-blank in the head in the assassination attempt last week.

First lady Michelle Obama held hands with Ms Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, as the news brought cheers.

While some have blamed America's overheated political climate and the use of violent imagery in campaigns, Mr Obama conceded that there is no way to know what set off Saturday's shooting rampage that left six dead, 13 wounded and the nation shaken.

"I believe we can be better," Mr Obama said.

The appeal for unity played out against a deepening political debate.

Earlier, Republican Sarah Palin, criticised for marking Ms Giffords' district and others with the cross-hairs of a gun sight during last autumn's campaign, had accused journalists of using the attack to incite hatred.

Suu Kyi seeks to revive party

Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is seeking to revive her political party following her release from house arrest last year.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate is launching an appeal to challenge a ruling by the military regime that rendered her party defunct.

Haiti reflects one year on

Haitians have been marking the first anniversary of the earthquake that devastated their country and left 250,000 of their fellow citizens dead.

A minute's silence was held at 16.53 local time (21.53 GMT) - the exact time the 7.0 magnitude quake hit last year.Church services have also been held around the nation, including at the ruined cathedral in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

One year on, some 800,000 people are still living in temporary shelters.

Judge makes duct-tape threat

A US judge threatened to have a defendant's mouth duct-taped shut after he caused a disruption in court, an attorney said.

Duniek Christian, 26, appeared before Judge Elizabeth Kobly in Ohio last week on a charge of obstructing official business and a traffic offence.

Man admits to raping 96 boys

An Indonesian toy salesman has admitted to raping at least 96 boys between the ages of 13 and 17, police said today.

The 34-year-old man was arrested last week in Jakarta after a complaint was filed by the parents of one of the alleged victims, said investigator Reynold Hutagalung.

Search goes on after 257 die in floods

Brazil: Driving rains sent tons of rusty red earth sliding into mountain towns, killing at least 257 people and leaving dozens more missing, lives rescuers hope to save when they resume searches today.

Somalia: The new prime minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, said last night that 8000 government troops will start waging attacks on insurgents and al-Qaida terrorists "very, very soon."